Vivo tried to set a pattern within the mid-range class with the launch of the V23 5G final 12 months, that includes a color-changing glass again panel to catch everybody’s consideration. Indeed, it was some of the engaging price range telephones in 2021, regardless of some flaws within the digital camera and software program departments.The Chinese telephone maker remedied a few of these shortcomings with the discharge of the Vivo V25 5G this 12 months, bringing again a number of traits from its predecessor whereas additionally leaving out some key parts. The finish result’s an actual looker with succesful shooters, although there are a number of tough edges to the telephone which will depart you wanting extra.Is the Vivo V25 as much as the market’s more and more excessive requirements, or does it symbolize a step again reasonably than an improve? This evaluation will show you how to discover out. Vivo despatched me each the vanilla and Pro fashions (which I’ll evaluation later), however the firm had no say in my verdict, nor did the corporate have prior entry to this evaluation.Vivo V25: Price and availability(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The Vivo V25 is out there in a number of territories throughout Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Vivo hasn’t specified whether or not it is going to launch the telephone within the UK or Europe, although a future launch in these areas is feasible on condition that the V21 and V23 have been rolled out in these territories.The Vivo V25 5G retails for INR 34,990 on Amazon India (opens in new tab), however now you can get one for INR 29,980. The telephone begins at INR 32,999 if bought by way of Vivo’s on-line storefront (opens in new tab). Thankfully, it is at the moment 15% off, bringing the value all the way down to INR 27,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant.Of course, bigger reminiscence configurations are dearer. The 12GB/256GB variant has a daily MRP of INR 36,999, however you possibly can at the moment get one for INR 31,999 due to an ongoing promotion.Today’s finest Vivo V25 5G offers (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Vivo V25: What I like(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Design is among the telephone’s standout options. While it is extra gimmicky than sensible, the color-changing Fluorite AG Glass that covers the again panel adjustments its hue when uncovered to UV or daylight. I attempted it utilizing a sample drawing that Vivo included within the field, and the consequence was enjoyable.You may also be artistic with this trick. You can use, say, a SIM card tray ejector to dam mild from hitting sure parts of the again panel, leading to a two-tone sample that takes after the form of that very same materials. This is a rarity within the price range Android telephone section, with the Realme 9 Pro/Pro+ and the Oppo Reno5 Pro+ Artist Edition boasting the identical gimmick with completely different color-changing strategies.I’m additionally shocked that Vivo used frosted glass for the again panel development, with a turquoise end that is pleasing to the attention. More importantly, it places different mid-rangers on this worth vary that use a plastic again.(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)One of Vivo’s strengths in the previous few years has been its cameras, and this stays true with the V25 (and the V25 Pro, which you will see later). While the Vivo V23 was an exception, the corporate’s flagship fashions in the previous few years have been a big step up, and this seems to have rubbed off on the V25.The newest mid-range mannequin sports activities a 64MP predominant digital camera (f/1.79, 0.7μm sensor dimension) with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide digital camera (120-degree optical area of view), and a 2MP macro sensor. What this all means is that the V25 takes first rate selfies, brilliant daylight pictures with the primary digital camera, and clear low-light photographs due to OIS. Optical picture stabilization was notably lacking from its predecessor, so its addition to the present mannequin is a big enchancment.The footage I took with the telephone’s major shooter had greater than sufficient element even after cropping, and the dynamic vary proved to be one other energy for the corporate. The predominant sensor additionally does a superb job of preserving noise in darkish areas to a minimal. It’s an understatement, to say the least, nevertheless it bears repeating that the telephone’s noise discount functionality is great.This solely additional cemented Vivo’s place in evening pictures. The V25’s low-light pictures are remarkably higher than these taken with most of the finest price range Android telephones at this worth level, with extra shadow particulars courtesy of its Night mode.The Vivo V25’s digital camera is its main energy, and the primary shooter is nice in most circumstances.Of course, evaluating low-light and daytime pictures reveals a normal drop intimately with the primary shooter. However, the telephone nonetheless takes clear pictures that may compete with flagship fashions.I’m extra impressed by the handset’s selfie digital camera. While it would not have a secondary sensor just like the V23, the 50MP shooter housed in a punch-hole cutout contains a watch autofocus characteristic that does wonders in preserving your headshots in focus and eliminating blur when in movement. You can depend on the selfie snapper each in well-lit settings and complete darkness, with the latter dealt with by its digital ring mild. This characteristic is kind of just like what I noticed within the Tecno Spark 9 Pro Sports Edition.(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Simply put, the Vivo V25 takes first rate photographs in poor lighting in addition to well-exposed and crisp photographs in well-lit areas, as you possibly can see within the pattern photographs beneath.However, its video recording capabilities are one way or the other restricted. You can nonetheless shoot 4K video, however its body price is capped at 30 frames per second. You’ll must downgrade to 1080p if you want your recording to be stabilized at 60fps.Vivo V25 digital camera samplesImage 1 of 7Vivo V25 pattern photograph (Night mode) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (Ultrawide) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (regular Photo daylight shot) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (selfie) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (regular Photo shot) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (Portrait) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V25 pattern photograph (64MP) (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The Vivo V25’s in-screen fingerprint scanner is snappy, and I’ve had no concern with unlocking the system previously two weeks that I used it. This telephone feels extra premium than different manufacturers that use a side-mounted sort, although each implementations work the identical.But it is not the standard fingerprint scanner that you just see in different telephones: the V25 means that you can customise the fingerprint icon animation with a number of designs you possibly can select from. You can even customise the animation that seems when it acknowledges your fingerprint. These dynamic results improve the general telephone expertise.I like the panel on the Vivo V25, and the display provides a delightful expertise as effectively, that includes a 6.44-inch AMOLED show with a 90Hz refresh price and HDR10+ help. The display decision is FHD+ and the height brightness is 1300 nits, which helps to maintain the display brilliant sufficient for out of doors viewing.Like any OLED panel, the V25’s show provides excellent vibrance and punchy colours. You can customise the colour fashions with three completely different choices: customary, skilled, and brilliant. I typically change between the usual {and professional} modes as a result of each look nice and are well-saturated. In distinction, the brilliant mode blows out saturation ranges, which is not best when enhancing pictures in Lightroom, for instance.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo has additionally upgraded the battery specs right here, serving up a 4,500mAh battery and 44W wired charging in comparison with the Vivo V23’s 4,200mAh battery. I discovered that the V25 often manages to ship a couple of day and a half of normal utilization, which incorporates looking, taking pictures, watching Netflix movies for lower than an hour, and music streaming. This was achieved with the good change refresh price setting turned on. This ought to provide you with confidence that the telephone can stand up to a full day of heavy use.Once you’ve got drained the battery, you possibly can cost the Vivo V25 with a 44W charger bundled into the field. The charger can often juice up the telephone from empty to 100% in 50 minutes, based mostly on my expertise. Five minutes of cost takes the telephone from zero to 20%.Widgets even have a devoted tab within the app drawer, and this appears to be the brand new design language Funtouch OS is adopting.When it involves the general efficiency, I discovered no main lag or annoying conduct. Gaming has been first rate right here too, as demanding titles like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact have all run at a easy tempo more often than not. And the most effective half is that it doesn’t get alarmingly heat throughout play.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryVivo V25Software programFuntouch 12 based mostly on Android 12Display6.44-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2404 decision, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)RAM8GB or 12GBStorageup to 256GBRear Camera 164MP, f/1.8 (broad)Rear Camera 28MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide0Rear Camera 32MP, f/2.4 (macro)Front Camera50MP, f/2.0 (broad)ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2, NFCBattery4,500mAh, 44W wired chargingSecurityFingerprint (optical beneath show), face unlockDimensions159.2 x 74.2 x 7.8 mmWeight186gColorsElegant Black, Sunrise Gold, Surfing BlueVivo V25: What I do not like(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The Vivo V25 feels a bit like a downgrade from its predecessor. Its predominant disadvantage is it runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, which is much less highly effective than the Dimensity 920 of the Vivo V23. Compared to its Pro sibling, the vanilla mannequin is noticeably sluggish in efficiency when opening apps or launching video games, however nothing that ought to deter you from shopping for this telephone.Its 8MP ultra-wide digital camera isn’t par for the course for a 2022 mid-range handset. While element and dynamic vary are nice on the first shooter, the identical cannot be mentioned concerning the ultrawide snapper. As proven within the gallery above, particulars are compromised on the corners of the body.You’re higher off on the lookout for a telephone with a quicker processor, stereo audio system, and long-term software program help.The digital camera additionally sees inconsistent colour replica in comparison with the first shooter, with distinction being boosted excessively. That mentioned, I am unable to complain, because it’s the standard state of affairs for price range telephones. Perhaps, that is simply me nit-picking.But one other tradeoff with the telephone is the usage of a downward-facing mono speaker, whereas different manufacturers already supply stereo sound. This is exacerbated by the dearth of a 3.5mm headphone jack.I must also level out that Vivo would not appear to have agency software program replace help for the V25 in the long run. This wasn’t talked about when the V25 sequence was introduced, and the corporate has but to reply to my request for remark. I’ll replace this evaluation after I hear again from the corporate.Vivo V25: Competition(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A telephone just like the Vivo V25 faces a whole lot of competitors at this worth level, which places it effectively in the identical league as most of the price range Android telephones beneath $400, such because the Nothing telephone (1), OnePlus Nord 2T, and the Poco F4.For simply north of $300, you possibly can get a extra fluid display from the Poco F4 at 120Hz or the identical refresh price from the OnePlus Nord 2T.The Poco F4 additionally ups the ante with Dolby Vision help and IP53 ranking for mud and splash resistance. Otherwise, I do not assume 90Hz is a big deal-breaker. You can even cost it quicker than the V25, because it helps 67W charging.Meanwhile, the Nord 2T gives a bloatware-free expertise in comparison with the Vivo V25. In phrases of efficiency, OnePlus’ contender leaves the V25 within the mud with a MediaTek Dimensity 1300. Charging velocity can be just about quicker on the Nord 2T at 80W. That mentioned, the Vivo mid-ranger needs to be quick sufficient to fulfill most customers.In phrases of design, the Nothing telephone (1) has its personal distinctive look that is extra sensible than that of the V25. Its LEDs on the again, as an illustration, could be custom-made to flash when a message arrives in your inbox. It additionally helps wi-fi charging, which is unusual at this worth vary. However, Nothing doesn’t ship it with a charging brick, which appears to be extra widespread amongst flagship gadgets than in price range fashions. You’d be happy to know, although, that the corporate has promised three Android OS updates for the handset.Vivo V25: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)You can buy it if…You desire a telephone with a vibrant display with out spending greater than $400.The entrance and rear cameras matter probably the most to you, particularly in low-light conditions.You desire a long-lasting battery that will get you thru a full day of heavy utilization.You mustn’t purchase it if…You wish to obtain long-term software program help in your system.You need the best-in-class processor within the mid-range class.You desire a curved-body reasonably than a boxy design.The Vivo V25 shares many traits with its predecessor, and each have the identical eye-catching design and first rate general efficiency. The system is clearly constructed to enchantment to a bunch of shoppers whose major concern is design greater than the rest.However, these options will not be sufficient to propel the V25 to the highest of the mid-range competitors. While Vivo got down to refine its mid-range formulation, bar a number of areas of enchancment, the newest mannequin nonetheless suffers from availability woes that restricted Vivo’s market footprint in recent times. Its lack of availability in main markets reminiscent of Europe and the UK steals its potential to compete in these areas.

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The Vivo V25 is among the most tasty inexpensive Android telephones effectively suited to these on the lookout for a novel design. It features a brilliant OLED display and some premium options, reminiscent of an in-display fingerprint sensor, at an affordable worth.